Winter Readiness: Ensuring Cleanliness and Safety During Cold Months

Although most areas of Australia rarely experience really cold conditions, extremes of weather are possible, and you need to be prepared. General precautions include ensuring heaters are working and are kept away from flammable items, keeping warm and preventing fires. Hygiene is also important because coughs, colds and various ailments tend to be more common during the winter months.

Mitigating Slip and Fall Hazards at Entranceways

Slips and falls are more common in winter due to wet weather and storms. They particularly occur at entranceways where mud and moisture may be walked in, and you can help to prevent these by various measures:

• Install slip-resistant flooring or apply anti-slip floor treatments.
• Prevent water accumulation outside with adequate drainage.
• Ensure interior and exterior areas are well lit so hazards are seen.
• Use non-slip mats and rugs to absorb moisture.
• Keep entranceways clear of trip hazards.
• Clean entranceways regularly and particularly if spills occur.

These measures will create a safer environment with the risk of slips and falls reduced.

The Proactive Defence: Disinfecting High-Touch Areas for Flu Season

Winter is the main flu season, and you need to take precautions against it and other illnesses. This includes thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting high-touch areas such as door handles, telephones, keyboards, light switches and plugs, handrails, kitchen appliances and work surfaces.

First, clean with a damp cloth and detergent, then rinse and dry before applying a high-grade disinfectant that is effective against bacteria and viruses. Clean and disinfect more frequently, possibly several times a day. If there is an outbreak, increase ventilation, always cough and sneeze into a tissue and stay at home if you become ill to prevent the spread of disease.

Essential Floor Care: Removing Salt and Chemical Residue

Salt and chemicals can be harmful to floors, so remove them periodically by:

• Moving furniture and sweeping or vacuuming to remove loose dirt.
• Selecting the appropriate cleaner — pH-neutral cleaners for tiles and natural stone, a wood-specific cleaner for wood and a damp mop only for laminate. White vinegar is effective for salt stains.
• Mix with warm water and apply with a mop or brush.
• Rinse with warm water and mop up excess water.
• Allow to dry.

You can prevent a build-up of salt and chemicals by sweeping regularly and placing mats in entrances.

Improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and HVAC System Cleanliness

Indoor air quality can be adversely affected by pollutants and smoke coming from outside. If there are bush fires or other contaminating events, keep doors and windows closed, set your air conditioning to circulate air and wear a mask if you go outside.

To ensure the air is as pure as possible at all times:

• Regularly replace air filters in your HVAC system, upgrading if necessary, and have it professionally serviced, including cleaning the ducts, at recommended intervals.
• Fix leaks to reduce moisture, keep humidity at 30-50% and open windows when air quality is good.
• Don't smoke or vape indoors, avoid scented products and use extractor fans when cooking.
• Have indoor plants that help to purify the air.

Stocking Up: Critical Supplies for Winter Compliance

Winter is a time when harsh weather can make it more difficult to get out for supplies and when emergencies are more likely. So, before winter sets in, be prepared:

• Ensure you have enough stored fresh water, three litres per person per day, plus sterilising tablets.
• Stock up with canned food, long-life milk and other edible products that will last.
• Have a first aid kit, stocks of prescribed medication, emergency power and light, plus blankets and extra clothes for warmth, hygiene products and extra cleaning supplies.
• Make sure the heating works, check insulation and have treatments and mats for slippery surfaces.

At Big Clean, we have a range of supplies that can help you prepare for winter and the rest of the year.